Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
- Healy's Century Aids Australia to Record Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was on her way.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we know we can do it."
That comment will be the last rival teams at this tournament should hear.
During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.
